2012 was another successful year for the Leeds Children’s’ Charity. Most importantly, 434 disadvantaged children enjoyed a break by the sea at the Leeds Children’s Holiday Centre, Silverdale – children who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to have a break from difficult home situations.

Catch me if you can

The trustees could not do their work without the wonderful support given to the charity by many amazing sponsors and benefactors. These include Northern Rail who sponsor train tickets for the children and their escorts; Richardsons Solicitors who have raised money and also provided invaluable advice and support; Aviva Leeds who have taken the charity to their hearts and have organised a whole variety of fundraising activities, sponsored bicycle ride, runners in the Leeds 10k, cake bakes, and more; DWF LLP who have raised money through dress down days, raffles, book sales, marathon running, and collected much-needed resources; Leeds University students who have done an amazing job of organising activity weekends and weeks for the children, raised money through auctions, raffles, music nights, and a Christmas Fayre in the City; and many more extremely generous benefactors too numerous to mention – corporates of all sizes, groups and organisations, and remarkable individuals who donate money, time, and/or resources to help underprivileged children in Leeds. 2013 has already started with a bang. Lowell Group have nominated the Leeds Children’s Charity as their Charity of the Year and have already organised a full programme of fundraising events. Support such as this will enable the charity to provide 480 disadvantaged children with a much-needed holiday by the sea during the summer of 2013.We are enormously grateful to everyone for their ongoing support and I apologise that there is not space enough in this blog to name all our incredible benefactors. However, sponsors and supporters are always given a mention on our website, blog, social media sites, or newsletter whenever the charity benefits from their munificence. We feel that it is our duty to broadcast that there are extremely generous people who are supporting children in dire need.

If you would like to help the Leeds Children’s Charity in any way, please contact info@leedschildrenscharity.org.uk, or telephone 01132454281. We would be delighted to hear from you.

The charity team were joined and supported by Jack Downham (who plays Noah Tate in Emmerdale). Jack wanted to join the runners but was unable to do so because of his age. However, Jack had taken the time to find out about the work of the charity and he was moved to write the following statement: “I feel very honoured to be supporting the Leeds Children’s Charity. I am supporting the Leeds Children’s charity because of their great work to help children who are, for whatever reason, unable to have a holiday. These children don’t just want holidays, they need them because of everything piled on their shoulders. Some of the stories that I have read about the children who have benefited from the work of the charity are heart breaking. I am very pleased to support the charity and I hope my involvement will help raise awareness and assist the charity in the vital work it does.”

Thank you to everyone for making this event so enjoyable and successful. The money raised will be used to provide much needed respite for many disadvantaged children of Leeds, and we are extremely grateful for this fantastic support. Nearly 450 children will enjoy a holiday at the Leeds Children’s Holiday Centre this summer where they are free to play, have fun, make friends, and be a child.

If you would like to help the Leeds Children’s Charity, please contact by telephone – 01132454281, or email – info@leedschildrenscharity.org.uk. Thank you for all your help.

Steven Dawson, Head of Costs Department, DWF LLP, has completed a 127 mile cycle from Liverpool to Leeds, along the canal to raise funds on behalf of the work of the Leeds Children’s Charity. DWF LLP have nominated the Leeds Children’s Charity as their Charity of the Year for 2012 and this is just one of many fundraising activities that are being organised to help raise money and resources for the charity.

Approximately £485 has already been raised for the charity by this amazing challenge and if you would like to add to this total, the sponsorship site is http://www.justgiving.com/SteveDawson.

We are extremely grateful to Steve for his support and encouragement to others to raise funds on our behalf. The money will be used to provide free residential short breaks/respite for disadvantaged children of Leeds aged 7 to 11 year who would not otherwise have the opportunity to have fun, play, or be a child away from difficult home situations or responsibilities beyond their years.

Over 400 children will enjoy a holiday by the sea during the 2012 holiday season and we would like to thank Steve and all his sponsors for the help given to help make this possible.

The Leeds Children’s Charity would like to thank a couple of companies who were involved in donation and fundraising campaigns over the Christmas period. First of all thanks to DWF who made a £500 donation to the charity and Shanco Construction, who have donated £600 to the charity in lieu of Christmas gifts that they would normally give.

In addition we also like to thank One Medicare @ The Light, who chose Leeds Children’s Charity as the charity their Christmas Giving Tree campaign would benefit from . This is an annual campaign where the centre urges patients, employees and local residents to buy an extra present whilst they are out doing their Christmas shopping and donate it to the appeal by placing it under the centre’s Giving Tree. Any gifts they receive under the tree at the Centre get donated to a charity of their choosing.

Aviva, who have been supporting the charity throughout the year, also collected Christmas gifts for the children including toys, pyjamas, games, and a very much appreciated digital camera.

Thanks to everyone who helped the charity in some way over the festive period, it is good to see that the Christmas spirit is still alive and kicking within Leeds.

We are pleased to announce that the staff of DWF LLP, Bridgwater Place, Leeds, have nominated Leeds Children’s Charity as their Charity of the Year.

Tyrone Jones, Head of Values & Corporate Responsibility said “Our people in Leeds are enthusiastic, warm and eager to offer support to this great cause and really excited to develop a fantastic relationship with you”.

We look forward to working with everyone at DWF LLP to help the children of Leeds to have a holiday/respite by the sea.